Tiny head, tough baby

Jak had her eight week check-up today, complete with the dreaded eight week shots. Oy! I think I had a tougher time than Jak did. She took it like a champ. She cried for a minute and then turned back into my beautiful, smiley little girl. The doctor said she's perfect, which of course we already knew. She has slept most of the afternoon and enjoyed a lot of cuddle time with her Mommy.

Jak's Stats

• Weight: 9 1/2 lbs (25th percentile)
• Height: 22.25 inches (50th percentile)
• Head circumference: 14.5 inches (10th percentile)

Our little girl is growing up fast and I do not like it!

Sleeping it off

Jak's Farewell Tour 2011

I go back to work next week, so Jak is making the rounds to see all of her fans before she heads to daycare. Today we went to see Grandma K. Tomorrow we are going to Mimmy's office. Wednesday we're going to see some of my old work friends. Thursday is a trip to the doctor for her two month check-up (TWO MONTHS ALREADY?!?). Friday we are going to meet with the daycare to get things squared away. Phew, I think that's it. In between I am going to make sure we get some quality Mommy and Jak time. It's going to be very hard to go back to work after having the past eight weeks off, but I am trying to focus on the positive elements - It will be nice to get into a routine and see all of my co-workers again. I just wish I could take Jak with me. I keep telling myself that lots of Mommies work and have babies. I can do it too! I just need to get through the first week or two or three.

I didn't take any pictures from our visit today (Grandma K hates having her picture taken), so here are some of my favorites from the last week or so.

Call me! 

 WHOA!

I love my Mommy!

America's Next Top Baby Model

I love my Mimmy!

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On a sad note, our beloved cat, Morpheus, passed away on 3.11.11. He was nine years old and suffered from kidney failure. He will be missed.

Morpheus (left) and his best friend, LaBlanc

Trip to New York

Jak made her first trip to Western New York last weekend. She did great on the 6 hour car ride. She slept the whole way (minus one stop for some food and a diaper change). Meredith's family was so happy to meet her. Our good friends, Michelle and Jodi, and their kids (our Godkids) even came down from Canada to meet Jak. She is lucky to be so loved by everyone. Enjoy some family pics. (Please note: Jak's Great Aunt Louise (both literally and figuratively) doesn't like to have her photo taken, so she is missing from the collage...but we'll get one of them soon!)

Jak and her Grandpa V

Jak and Grammy V

Jak and Uncle Lucas

Jak and Aunt Gabby

Jak and Aunt Alex

Jak and Great Grandma V

Jak with Aunts Michelle and Jodi

Who says I don't look like my Mimmy?

30 days down...

Well, our Jak is going to be one month old tomorrow. It's hard to believe that last month around this time I was starting to have contractions. Boy does time fly! She is turning into such a beautiful little baby. She is starting to smile more and get a little personality. All day long I stare at her and wonder what she'll look like when she gets older. So far, she is taking after me. She is very fair and has strawberry blonde hair and no lips. You wouldn't know her to look at her, but she is part Italian. I guess she's kind of like Prego - You can't see it, but "it's in there." Regardless, she is the most beautiful baby ever put on this planet and no, I'm not biased. My mom thinks so too, and if you can't believe your own mother, then who can you believe? :)

I'll leave you with some of Jak's best moments of the past 30 days...

With Mommy in the hospital

Jak and Grandma K

Laughing at Mommy

Chillin' with her cuiccio (Italian for pacifier)

Sleeping with Mimmy

No more pictures!

One of my favorite songs

In My Daughter's Eyes

by Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes
Everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light
And the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
Gives me strength when I'm weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
Has had enough
It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes
I can see the future
A reflection of who I am
And what we'll be
And though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone
I hope you'll see
How happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

She slept!

Tonight was a milestone. Jak slept...without being held by someone. It has been a struggle to put her down since we brought her home. She prefers to be held at all times, and we prefer not to hear her scream her lungs out, so we endulge her. Now don't get me wrong - we do put her down and try to let her sleep on her own, but mommies can only take hearing their baby cry for so long.

Well tonight we put her in her swing (which she has hated until now) and let her cry for a bit. Then, to our amazement, she stopped and fell asleep. Meredith and I were in such shock that we couldn't even finish our dinner. We grabbed the digital camera, the video camera, and my phone so I could call my mom and tell her. She slept on her own for 20 minutes before she cried and we picked her up. We are so proud!